WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A Springfield man faces drug charges after he allegedly told police “people were crawling around his yard and his house” intent on stealing his marijuana plants.

Springfield Officer Craig Watrous said no intruders were found at the residence of James Blais, 59, on Carley Road. But he said he and Detective Anthony Moriglioni did find more than two dozen marijuana plants in various stages of cultivation on the property, along with several jars and baggies of harvested marijuana in the kitchen.

Blais pleaded innocent Wednesday in White River Junction criminal court to felony counts of marijuana possession and cultivation. He could receive up to 18 years in prison if convicted.

Blais was released on personal recognizance pending trial.

Watrous said police were initially called to a neighbor’s residence because Blais was on their porch acting “out of it.” When police arrived, they said, Blais told them about people who were “after” his marijuana plants.

“Detective Moriglioni then asked if he did in fact have marijuana plants and (Blais) replied ‘a couple,’” Watrous wrote in his report.

The officer said they found 22 mature plants growing in Blais’ garden and another four immature plants that had been started in cups next to the back door.